Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-09
VIRGINIA FARMERS IN COUNCIL.
April Meeting OF thc Woodlawu Club.
BAD ROADS LEADING TO wAsRINGroS-A REFORM PRO-
rosED-THE CROW cuEsrIoN--Row LATE TO sow

| BAD ROADS LEADING TO wAsRINGroS-A REFORM PRO-
rosED-THE CROW cuEsrIoN--How LATE TO sow
OATS
The April meeting OF the woodlawn Farmers
Club was held at Cameron, the residence OF JAS
NJ. Roberts. on the I'd instant. President Pierson,
| submitted the following which received unani-
| nous approval:
| To the Members of The Hoodlaun Cub.
Before we proceed TO the usual business, I de-
sire to call attention TO the extraordinary events
that have recently TRANSFERRED and offer our trib-
| ute OF respect to those who have passed from
| among US
The record OF the minutes OF our last meeting
are those OF February s. This is the first in
stance in hetwenty years history OF this society
when the monthly meeting has been omitted in
consequence OF the deceaSe OF the member at whose
house we adjourned TO meet. Since our last an
nual meeting three OF our members have been cut
| down by the Great Harvester.
Miles Thompson, In the prime OF life, and in the
ful v1gor OF manhood, in the midst OF life's most
promising hopes and brilliant prospects OF useIu-
hess and success, has passed away-most forcibly
reminding US OF the uncertainty Of life
Then the sickle was thrust into the fully-rpened
NE OF our highly esteemed counselor and guide,
benjamin Barton. Strict integrity and unselrish
n0eilty 10 the welfare OF mankind the rule and
guide OF his life.
Valentine Baker was one OF the original nine
teen members enrolled at the formation OF this
society, on the 1lth OF August, 1866 His genial
diSpostlon and Kindness OF heart, his readiness at
rence 10 subjects under discussion, his ever well
come invitation 10 entertain US at his historic home
on the banks or the Potomac-wilI be pleasant
memories retained as the months and years roll
py. Also In the decease OF Mrs. Baker feel that
| TINS club has met with double loss. None knew
nef put 10 praise her. SO long united companions
In liie In death they were not long divided OF the
original members OF this society seven have
Ilnasnea Their work for this life. Those who re-
mann may appropriately adopt for our motto the
ciosiDg verse OF that beautiful poem OF Lonsieow
In "a Psalm OF Life:"
Let us then be up and doing,
win q heart
Learn to labor aud TO wait
c. Lukens called the attention OF the club to a
meeting recently held in Alexandria county
wherein the subject OF the
IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS LEADING no WASHINGTON
was under discussion, and suggested we take some
action in the matter also. It is q notorious fact
that the avenues Of approach TO the Federal CAPT.
tai are disgrace TO any civilized country, and
most especially the road called n turnpike lead
Ing from Alexandria TO Washington. Since the
seems 70 be no practicable way OF keeping IL in de-
cent travelling condition. Besides the proximity
Trans makes it dangerous to life and
measures be taken TO remedy the objections here
set forth, or provide some other and better route
between the TWO cities 1t was mentioned there
Is q proposition to convert the bed OF the canal
into roadway, which met with general favor
This could readily be done by working down
Cne sides OF the same sufficiently 10 form a
road-bed OF the proper shape and d.
mension, and would make one of the
trees on each side. But while waiting for this TO
be accomplished, il was thought best TO pay some
attention TO the present so-called turnpike. j. w.
Roberts was appointed to investigate the status
OF the same ana lnd out, II possible. the 'true In
wardneSs" OF that concern, with any other infor-
nation in connection with this momentous sub
Ject OF a better highway to Washington that he
may De able TO gather and report TO future meet
Ing. The secretary read some extracts from a
"a nj " yHnf N
Museum at Washington, which contained some or
the transactions or the micrOScoplcal society OF
West Chester, Pa, and considerable correspon-
dence On the subject OF bounlieS offered for
THE KILLING or HAWKS, OWLS, wEAsEIs, ETC.
The course pursued by some Of the State legis-
laturcs was severely censured therein. II is
claimed by those who have patiently investigated
the subject that most OF the birds prey and ami
mails alluded to are OF much more benefit than In
jury TO The farmer; that the amount OF poultry
they destroy is OF little consequence compared
with the immense amount OF mice, moles, and nox-
would be overrun with mice were IL not for their
constant vigilance. The merits OF this question
,,aa dot gsen seGy "lae sonsiderea some one
branched on on that subject, the friends and enc
mics OF that dusIy, cunning bird having lively
c. Lukens said they had destroyed much corn
for him. He had tried 10 poison them, but did not
make much progress; killed one In a roundabout
e. E Mason was asked IL they did not trouble his
corn that was near by. He said, not much;
supposed the crows knew who were their friends
In summing up, Adam Martin, a member OF the
Anandale Farmers Club, spoke OF the vast number
them as thick here We could not raise corn at all
He advised to Kill all we can and there would be
enough left to preserve the balance OF power and
would say the same OF the English sparrow.
The question was asked
HOW LATE WILL n DO TO SOW OATS?
Some good crops had been made sown near the
last of April, but, as rule. not later than the
middle OF the month. Much was said about the
unfavorable outlook for wheat and several fields
had been, or would be, plowed and seeded 70 oats
BY reason OF the last meeting having been omit
ted there was critical committee upon this &C.
casion. The favorable location OF this place for
milk dairy was being made the most Of and the
herd OF some sixty cows was in excellent condi-
ton. A fine flock OF sheep was noticed. with the
usual supply OF early lambs. Attention was called
and In strong contrast to the balance, which was
quite backward. 1t was explained that the por-
ton looking so well was plOwed about the lst Of
August, the dry weather preventing the blowing
OF the balance until the last OF september.
1t was all put In about the same time, with the
result as shown. On the later blowing the rye did
not come up till this spring. The wheat was not
Quence OF slow starting last fall A part OF it
looking unusually bad was made so by the depre-
dat1ons OF neighboring chickens.
The next meeting will be held at the home OF
President PierSon on the 9TH OF May; the topic for
discussion, "Can we improve upon our present
system OF farming?"
BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
ELEMENTS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY